Beauty before a holiday: your countdown from four weeks to the night before

Quick answer: Four weeks before you travel, book everything and plan any laser or peels so your skin has healed before the sun. Two weeks out, have your hair coloured and cut, with a patch test 48 hours before. In the final week, book brows and a lash lift, then BIAB or gel nails a few days before. Wax two to three days before you fly and spray tan one to two days before. Pack SPF 30 or higher, reapply every two hours and skip black henna.

The bags are half packed, the out of office is set, and suddenly you remember your nails, your brows and that wax you meant to book last week.

Holiday beauty works best as a countdown. Some treatments need weeks to settle, some look their best a day or two after, and a few are kinder to your skin once you are home. Get the order right and you can step off the plane feeling ready, with nothing to think about except where to eat first.

Here is a simple plan from four weeks out to the night before, wherever and whenever you are travelling.

Four weeks before: book and plan

Holiday seasons are busy for every salon, so book your whole countdown in one go. Then look at anything that needs healing time.

Laser hair removal

Laser hair removal and sun do not mix well. The American Academy of Dermatology advises keeping treated skin out of direct sun and says sessions are usually 4 to 6 weeks apart. If you are already on a course, ask your practitioner whether your next session should fall before or after your trip. Many people find it simplest to start or continue the course once they are home.

Peels and stronger skin treatments

Freshly treated skin is more sensitive to UV. The Skin Cancer Foundation says peels, resurfacing lasers and microneedling all make skin photosensitive, and recommends avoiding unprotected sun for one to two weeks, then limiting it while skin fully renews, which can take four to eight weeks depending on depth. For a sunny trip, a gentle facial is a lovely choice before you go, and a peel can wait until you are back.

Retinoids and active skincare

Retinoids, acids and benzoyl peroxide can all make skin more sensitive to sun. If you use them, ask your skin therapist, pharmacist or doctor how to adjust your routine for the trip. Never stop a prescribed medicine without checking with the person who prescribed it.

Two weeks before: hair and skin

• Hair colour. Colouring one to two weeks before travel lets the tone soften naturally. Book an allergy alert test 48 hours before. Anaphylaxis UK advises doing this every time you colour, because sensitivity can appear at any point.
• Haircut. A trim around now gives the shape a little time to settle. Ask your stylist about a hair mask or treatment to help with sun, salt and chlorine.
• Facial. A hydrating facial now leaves skin calm and glowing for the trip, with plenty of time to settle.

One week before: brows, lashes and nails

Brows

Shape and tint around five to seven days before so any redness is long gone. If you love the brushed up look, brow lamination at this point carries you through most trips.

Lashes

A lash lift is a favourite for holidays because there is nothing to look after once it has set. Book it three to seven days before you fly and keep it dry for the first 24 hours, or as your lash artist advises. If you wear lash extensions, book an infill two to three days before. Oil based sunscreen and cleansers can loosen the bond, so ask your artist which products suit your set.

Nails

For long trips, a builder gel (BIAB) overlay adds strength and usually lasts three to four weeks. Gel polish generally lasts around two weeks. Book nails two to four days before you travel so they are fresh but not rushed. Add a pedicure for sandal season and pack a cuticle oil to keep everything flexible in heat, sea water and pool water.

Two to three days before: waxing

Freshly waxed skin needs time to calm before sun, sea, chlorine and spray tan. Book waxing two to three days before you go. Skip hot baths, saunas and heavy exercise straight afterwards, and gently exfoliate the day before your tan.

One to two days before: spray tan

A spray tan gives you holiday colour from day one without UV. Have it one to two days before you fly, after waxing and exfoliating. Wear loose, dark clothing to your appointment and on the journey home from the salon.

One thing to remember: a spray tan does not protect you from the sun. The NHS is clear that there is no safe or healthy way to get a tan from UV, and that a tan does not protect your skin. Keep up your sunscreen every day.

Sun safety, wherever you land

Official advice is consistent around the world, with small differences in SPF.

• The NHS recommends sunscreen of at least SPF 30 with at least 4 star UVA protection, reapplied every two hours and straight after swimming or towel drying. An adult needs around six to eight teaspoons to cover the body.
• Cancer Council Australia advises protection whenever the UV Index is 3 or above, with broad spectrum, water resistant SPF 50 or higher, a broad brimmed hat, shade, sunglasses and covering clothing.
• The Skin Cancer Foundation suggests SPF 50 or higher for long days outdoors, applied 30 minutes before you go out.

Looking after your skin really does matter. Cancer Council Australia reports that more than 95% of skin cancers are caused by UV exposure, and the World Health Organization says experts believe four out of five cases could be prevented by protecting against too much sun. The reassuring part is that simple habits make a big difference.

North, south and somewhere in between

Holiday season depends on where you live and where you are going. A trip from Europe to Australia, New Zealand or South Africa in December lands you in high summer, so pack for strong sun even if it is cold at home. The Gulf, the Caribbean and much of Southeast Asia have strong sun for most of the year. Ski trips need care too, because snow reflects UV. Check the UV Index for your destination on a weather app rather than going by temperature.

Skip the black henna

Temporary tattoos are a holiday favourite, but black henna is worth avoiding. Natural henna stains the skin orange to brown. The British Skin Foundation explains that black henna usually contains PPD, a hair dye ingredient that can cause blistering and burns on skin. It can also leave you sensitive to hair colour for life. In research it shared, 4 in 10 dermatologists asked had seen patients with reactions to black henna tattoos.

If you do have one, tell your colourist before your next appointment so they can test your skin first.

Your holiday beauty bag

Pack light and pack smart. Liquid limits in hand luggage vary between airports and countries, so check before you fly.

• Sunscreen for face and body, plus a lip balm with SPF
• Aftersun or a simple, fragrance free moisturiser
• A gentle cleanser, oil free if you wear lash extensions
• Cuticle oil and a glass nail file
• A wide brimmed hat and sunglasses
• Leave in conditioner or a hair oil for sun and salt water
• A tan extender or gentle body lotion to help your spray tan fade evenly

The night before

Lay out a soft, loose outfit for the flight, moisturise well and get an early night. Remove any old polish from toes you have not had done, charge your devices and put your sunscreen at the top of your bag so it is the first thing you reach for when you arrive.

FAQs

How long before a holiday should I wax?

Two to three days before you travel. That gives skin time to calm before sun, sea and pool water.

How long does BIAB last on holiday?

Builder gel usually lasts three to four weeks, depending on your nails and what you get up to. Book it a few days before you fly.

Can I go in the sun after a chemical peel?

Freshly peeled skin is very sensitive to UV. The Skin Cancer Foundation advises avoiding unprotected sun for one to two weeks and protecting skin carefully while it renews, so many people save peels for after a sunny holiday.

Does a spray tan protect you from the sun?

No. A spray tan adds colour only. Wear sunscreen of at least SPF 30 every day and reapply every two hours.

Can I swim after a lash lift?

Most lash artists advise keeping lashes dry for around 24 hours. After that, swimming is usually fine. Follow your artist's aftercare.

Book your holiday countdown

A relaxed trip starts with people you trust. Choose qualified, insured professionals who will plan your treatments around your travel dates and talk you through aftercare. Find a verified professional near you on our directory, where every verified profile has had its qualifications and insurance checked, and read our treatment guides before you book.